At What Point

It's been 4 days since the airing of Downtown Abby. 4 days, people. And I'm still upset over what happened. I know you know what I'm talking about. Yep. I'm still thinking about it. At what point do I officially declare myself pathetic?

***

Child #2 climbed over the bench in church. In front of lots of people. In a skirt and heels. When I told her that normal teenage girls usually walk around the bench, she rolled her eyes and said, "I didn't really climb, I slithered on my belly. And, it's not even a big deal because no one saw my underwear." Well, there is that.

At what point do I take responsibility for my children's actions? Um, how about never.

***

I was told by one of my children that I'm tall. "But not, you know, like a giant or anything." Really?
And here's the funny part- this didn't even phase me. Because, at what point did I stop expecting my family to be normal? Probably around the time I started duct taping them into their car seats so they wouldn't escape. True story.

***

I couldn't find the chocolate chips at Costco today. To most people, this is not life threatening. Not so to me. I am telling you, I. Could. Not. Find. Them! I started to hyperventilate and I texted the husband, my mom and my sister. Farmer Todd told me to buy some vegetables. That thought made me vomit in my mouth. I had to put my hands on my knees just to catch my breath. At what point did my sanity return? When I put chocolate cupcakes and peanut M&Ms in my cart.

***

18 years ago today, The Husband asked me to marry him. Sweet, right? Right. So, at what point did he realize he made an error in judgement? Don't answer that. I'll like living in a dream world. One with chocolate chips and normal children. For reals.

Let Them Eat Cake

We had a birthday last week. Thursday, to be exact. Our house. Yup. Our house turned 5 and I bought a cake.

A real cake. From a bakery, with fresh buttercream frosting. Let me just tell you this-- I have been fooling myself all these years with box cake. This real one did me in. And it cost more than a new pair of shoes. I'm considering getting a paper route. Just so I can afford more cake. I've also decided to start celebrating more holidays. Arbor Day deserves cake, right?

Sing Your Song

Did you know that I was once a singer? True story. It's not something I fess up to often. But I did sing. A lot. I even traveled to Asia to sing. Weird, right? I don't really have a good singing voice. It's a rather ordinary, average voice. I don't sing in choirs or even in my car. I'm more of a hummer. In fact, I think I can hum pretty well.

I gave birth to singers. Good ones. I'm still a little stunned when I hear them sing. Even now I'm slightly surprised at their talent. But here's the thing-- it didn't come from me. The good part. They got their generic singing trait from me, and probably Todd. But the good part? The beauty in their voice? That ain't me.

Here's what I've discovered-- they have great teachers. Truth be told, phenomenal teachers. They are the ones that took something mundane and stretched it into something extraordinary. Every day. In every class. Rehearsals after school. For years. Over and over again. That is the secret ingredient.

So, maybe you don't sing. But there is something else you do. We all have something we do that just feels ordinary. Actually, most of what we do feels rather bland and invisible. Don't you think? But, what if you could make it extraoridnary? Would you be willing to try? To put in the work?

Because we all have a voice, and we all have a song to sing. Right now we may be hiding it and merely humming in our car. But what if there was a way to reach down deep and make the ordinary become magical?

There is a way. We already know it. We just often try to forget. Because He is the teacher. The ultimate director. He puts trials on our path, people in our lives and struggles to make us grow. He knows the end game and He is trying to get you to see it too.

What would the world be like if we all took a chance to sing our song? The one only YOU can sing? The one only YOU can give voice to? Every day. All the time. Over and over again. Lift your eyes and Sing. Your. Song. That's when you find your voice, the one you were meant to speak.

Let Him be your guide.
Find your voice.
Sing your song.

Thought For The Day...Or Maybe Forever

"When I feel like exercising, I just lie down until the feeling goes away."

Paul Terry

2 Years and 147 Days

She climbed into the car and announced, "I will graduate in 2 years and 147 days!" She had excitement at the forefront in her eyes. I smiled right along with her, because it is worthy of one. But my heart, oh my heart, became a little undone.

In my mother's mind, I don't know where to store this reality. The one where she graduates in 2 years and 147 days. Where do I keep this knowledge that makes my soul feel heavy?

Time ticks away so quickly sometimes. Often it's speed has passed me by without my knowing. It's just the way of things, I guess. But here, today, I am determined to Hold. To Look. And See. And fill my heart with all of it. All 2 years and 147 days worth.

How The Pictures Speak

Sam went shooting with a group of girls from church. They all required manly muscle to stand behind them because the kick on this wee bitty gun was strong enough to push them over.

She enjoyed herself way too much. As soon as she arrived home, she declared, "The first thing I'm doing when I turn 21, is buying a gun!" I really hope she has a job and isn't living at home when that time arrives.

***

This was the first time this girl stopped talking in the last 2 weeks. I had forgotten what silence sounded like. I begged the technician to let her come back tomorrow. I think I even had a big, salty tear in my eye. She still turned me down.

***

I am a tightly wound individual. Shocking, I know. I'm uptight, I thrive on structure. The only day I ever spend in my pajamas is Christmas. I think earrings should be worn every day. I hate skits and costumes. Truly.

So, imagine the stunning moment when I went shopping with Todd and Addie and I let my guard down. In the midst of Claire's, I donned glitter glasses and a peace sign. I even shocked myself. Addie took a picture because I don't expect it to happen again. Like, ever.

Let the new year begin :)

The High and Low Lights

It's funny what happens during the holidays. Life seems to unfold a bit. Loosens around the edges. Schedules disappear, people sleep in, a ridiculous amount of food is consumed. A quiet joy tends to fill all those loose spaces that are normally held rigid during the day-to-day.

Around here, we learned a few things this year. In no random order:

• A live lobster is the Best. White. Elephant. Gift. Ever!
• Santa makes house calls.
• All those endless recitals and holiday concerts? They really are the greatest chance to sit back and soak in the goodness of the gift of family.
• Teenagers are hard to by gifts for when all they want is money.
• Endless days of playing games and eating candy can cause you to fall asleep at the dinner table.
• As a parent, there is nothing like watching your child open the gift they have been hoping for. Nothing.

I'm well aware that life will turn back to it's normally scheduled programming soon.  I'm ready for it. The Christmas decor is put away and we've eaten through all the neighbor treats. After the cookies are gone, what else is there to do really? Um. Nap? Yes, I think I'll nap. Just until school starts back up on Monday.